Ophthalmic mounting



April 7, 1936. F. A. STEVENS OPHTHALMIC MOUNTING Filed July 18, 1935 3Sheets-Sheet l April 7, 1936. F. A. STEVENS OPHTHALMIC MOUNTING FiledJuly 18, 1935 5 Sheeis-Sheet 2 MVS/ www? a. 5560671;

April 7, 1936. F. A. STEVENS OPHTHALMIC MOUNTING Filed July 18, 1935 ssheets-sheet :5

jill? I 71 vena?" jew'dk 55606115 Patented Apr. 7, 1936 UNITED y STATESPATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

The present invention relates to ophthalmic mountings, and moreparticularly to the connection of temples to spectacles.

The temple is sometimes mounted pivotally about a post so as to swingbetween two end pieces secured to the ends of a split rim, and which arevide a non-loosening temple.

Other and further objects will be explained hereinafter and will beparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention will be explained more fully in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a, fragmentary plan of anophthalmic mounting embodying the present invention; Fig..2 is avertical section, taken upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in thedirections of the arrows; Fig. 3 is an elevation of a preferred screw;Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 2 of a modification; Fig. 5 is aperspective of a split ring employed in the modiication of Fig. 4; Figs.6 to 8 are sections similar to Figs. 2 and 4 of further modiiications;Fig. 9 is a section similar to Fig. 8, showing the upper end pieceseparated from the lower end piece to permit the removal or thereinsertion of a lens; Fig. 10 is a section similar to Fig. 8 of afurther modification; Fig. l1 is a section similar to Fig. 9 of anothermodification; Fig. 12 is a plan of the lower end piece shown in Fig. 11;Fig. 13 is a section taken upon the'line I3-I3 of Fig. 12, looking inthe direction of the arrows; Fig. 14 is a. section similar to Figs. 2 to8 and 10 of a further modification; Fig. 15 is a section similar to Fig.9 of the modication shown in Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a section similar toFig. 15 of a further modiiication; Fig. 17 is a section similar to Figs.2 to 8, 10 and 14 'of still another modification; Fig. 18 is a sec-'tion taken upon the line I 8I8 of Fig. 17, looking in the direction ofthe arrows; and Fig. 19 is a section similar to Fig. 18 of a furthermodication.

Referring, nrst, to Figs. 1 and 2, the split rim' 2 has end pieces 4 andB that are held together by a screw 8 having a. head I0 mounted in acylindrical countersunk opening or recess I2, the

screw being threaded into the endpiece 6, with its free, threaded endsubstantially flush with the free face of the end piece 6. ',I'hepresent invention may also be employed with spectacles of the rimlesstype, such as are illustrated by Fig. 7, provided with but a single endpiece I4. The end pieces are constituted of the relatively light metalthat is usually employed in ophthal- 5 mic mountings and the screw 8 iscorrespondingly small dimensioned and of correspondingly light metal. Atemple I 8 is shown mounted to swing about the smooth, bearing portionof a screw I8 that is threaded in the end piece 6 or l0 I4, beingconfined between a. portion 28 or 22 of the end piece and the enlargedhead 24 of the screw, which head 24 is, therefore, freely mounted in acylindrical opening 26 in the end piece 4 or I4. The opening 26 is notcountersunk, like 15 the opening I2 for the head l0 of the screw 8, butis alined with the threaded opening 28 in which the screw` I8 isthreaded. 'I'his construction is particularly advantageous in connectionwith spectacles of the type illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 and 8, becauseit is possible, by unscrewing the screw 8, to separate the end pieces 4and 6, as for the insertion of a new lens, without removing the templefrom about its bearing screw I8. Proposals oi this kind have heretofore,however, not been practical, because of the tendency of the screw I8 tobecome loosened.

According to the present invention, the screw I8 is provided with alongitudinally extending aperture 38 substantially parallel to the axisof 30 the screw and extending a substantial distance from its free endtoward the head 24 of the screw, so as to form a continuous, annular,exteriorly threaded wall. This annular wall of the aperture is swaged byexpansion radially outward from the axis of the screw, without breakingthe continuity of the annular wall, a substantial distance into thecylindrical, threaded opening 28, and intotight engagement with the wallof the threaded opening 28. The tendency for the screw I8 to loosenbecomes thereby lessened.

The screw I 8 is illustrated in Fig. 3, having but relatively fewthreads, the threads at the free end of the screw being ofslightlysmaller diameter than the remaining threads. Screws of this type arenaturally formed in this way by the machinery that produces them, owingto the small size of the screws and the nature of the material 50 ofwhich they are composed. Because of this construction, they do not holdso rmly in the openings in which they are threaded, but this iscompensated for by the above-described expension of the walls oi theaperture 88. If de- 56 sired, of course, the screw 8 may be providedwith a similar expanded aperture 32.

Notwithstanding the tighter holding action of the expanded-aperturescrew i8, the temple may eventually become loosened, because cf the factthat it wears against the underside 34 of the enlarged head 24, as itswings back and forth about the screw I8. This wearing action may beminimized by providing a split-spring washer 36, shown in perspective inFig. 5 and in section in Fig. or a very thin, hard, plane, steel washer38, illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, or some other, suitable mechanismmight be interposed, such as ball bearings (not shown). The temple I6will then wear against the washer 36 or 38, instead of against the underside 34 of the screw I8, thereby lessening the friction on the underside 34 of the head of the screw I8, and thereby tending further toprevent loosening of the screw I8. In case the washer 38 is used, itshould preferably be or' larger diameter than the diameter of the head24, as illustrated, so that it may turn vth the temple i6. If made ofvery hard material, and smooth, there would be very little friction orwear between the washer and the under side 34 of. the head 24, which isof softer metal. The under side ef the washer, next to the temple I6,should preferably be left rough, so as to facilitate turning with thetemple. It may be located in a cavity 40. As shown in Fig. 7, the cavitymay be in the temple; it may, however, be in one of the end pieces, asillustrated in Figs. 11 to 13. The opening in the washer 36 or the plate38 is of smaller diameter than the diameter of the head 24 of the screwI8.

In all these cases, there may be maintained any desired or controlleddegree of frictional contact between the bearing surfaces of the templeI6, the screw I8 and the other parts of the joint. is is permitted bythe fact that the screw I8 is locked in place, the steel plate 38, for

example, taking the turning friction of the temple. Should wear occur,furthermora, it may be compensated for by turning the screw further intoits opening 28 and again expanding the walls of the aperture 36.

The countersunk opening I2 for the head I0 of the screw 8 may beprovided in the end piece 6 instead of in the end piece 4, in whichevent the screw 8 will be threaded in the end piece 4, as illustrated inFigs. 8 to 17.

The thin, steel plate may be mounted loosely, as at 38, Fig. 6; or itmag7 be mounted as at 42, Fig. 8, in combination with a block 44 and theend piece 6, all three parts being held together.

by mechanical means and by being soldered to one end of the split rim 2,the end piece 4 being soldered to the other end of the split rim 2.This, effect, results in a unitary member equivalent, in some respects,to the single end. piece 6, Figs. 1 to 6.

In this construction, therefore, the plate 42 extends throughout thelength of the end piece 6. but the block 44 is of smaller length toprovide a space for receiving the temple.

An advantage of this construction is that any turning movement betweenthe plate 42 and the head of the screw I8 is thus prevented, anda muchlarger surface is presented to the pivoted temple I6, therebysubstantialiy increasing its frictional durability.

Such durability may be still further increased by incorporating anotherand similar steel plate 46 between the block 44 and the end piece 6, as

shown in Fig. 10. Both steel plates 42 and 45 are fastened mechanicallyto the block and to the lower end piece 6 and are also soldered to theeyewire. This will insure a smooth, hard bearing, such as hardenedsteel, for each side of the temple, as it swings between the plates.

It is well known that the ideal frlctional bearing Ifor long service ismade by a combination of hardened steel for one surface and a softermetal for the other.

In Figs. 9 and 11, the two ends of the split rim 2 are shown separatedto remove the lens without disturbing the temple.

The steel plate or plates may be embedded in la cavity or cavities 48 inthe end pieces, as illustrated in Figs. il to 13, so that they will notshow when looking at the end piece edgewise. The cavities are slightlyshallower than the thickness of the hard metal plates, so that thetemple will not rub on the soft metal of the end pieces.

Though the hardened plate 42 prevents any contact between the screw head24 and the side of the temple, there is nothing to prevent a turningcontact between the body of the screw I8 and the walls of thesurrounding temple; even if the hole 56 through the temple issubstantially larger than the body of the screw.

According to the modifications illustrated in Figs. 14 to 16, theconstruction may be still further improved by providing the temple witha cone-shaped bearing.

The cone may be linear in longitudinal, axial section, as shown at 52,Figs. 14 and 15, or somewhat curved or domed, as shown at 54, Fig. 16;in either case, though two oppositely disposed cones 52 and 54 areillustrated, a single cone (not shown) may be employed, if desired. Thecones 52 and 54 make it possible to make the opening 56 in the temple oflarger diameter than the diameter of the body of the screw I8; for, incooperation with cooperating conical walls 58 and 68 upon the end piece6and corresponding conical portions 62 and 64-upon the under side of thehead 24 of the screw I8, they positively locate the position of thetemple. The cones 52 and 5 thus make it possible to provide a greaterbearing surface for the temple; and, at the same time, to preventfrictional contact between the wall of the temple opening 56 and theunthreaded body portion of the screw I8 during the turning movement ofthe tempie I6.

This conical construction completely controls the location of the templeI6 relative to the screw I8. It will not permit the removal of thetemple I6 unless the lens screw 8 should first be loosened; but the lenscould still be removed without disturbing the temple.

With the domed construction 54, instead of the conical construction 52of the bearings, and if the dome is in very low relief, the temple I6could be removed with only a slight loosening of the lens-holding screw8.

The hard metal plates 42 and 46 are shown correspondingly conical anddomed in Figs. 14 to 16.

The construction involving the bloei; 44, illustrated in Figs. 8 to 16,may be employed without the hardened plates 42 and 45, as illustrated inFigs. 17 and 18. In addition to the advantages above described, thisconstruction permits of arranging a temple stop I5 that is veryeffective in use and neat in appearance; all that is necessary isproperly to blank out the intermediately disposed block 44.

When the end pieces 4 and 6 iliiistrated in lli'igs. `2, 4 and 6 areemployed, which is usually eii'ected bysawing out along the portions Iland il, for example, it is very diillcult to get a good llt and a goodbearing `for the temple. Too deep ortoo shallow sawing of. the cutvaries the posi tion of the'temple arm Il from normal and causes amisfit at the'temple point Il.

. If the saw cut is too deep. the point It (Fig. l) of the temple willswing Ytoo far in; if the cut is too shallow, the point M will contacttoo soon with the wall Il. so that it will be left altogether outside ofthe end piece.

With the proposed new method of a three-part end piece l, 8 and M, thecentral portion 44 is blanked or wedged to shape without injuriousvariations.

The temple-joint portion is also made in the saine manner.

Another distinct advantage of the three-part end is that the end piecesl and l may be struck in dies and their inner faces shaped to performvery useful functions. As," for instance: it is very desirable toperform the turning movement of the temple without having it come incontact with the body of the pivot screw or ,doweL This may beaccomplished by raising a ring of metal 88 and 8l, Fig. 17, about thepivot dowel il. or screw hole 28, the hole I6 through the temple beinglarge enough to tlt loosely over the metal ring.

A-likering or rings 10 and 1| could beraised about the binding screwhole 12, Fig. 17. The said ring 10- enters the enlarged hole 14 throughthe inner block 44.

I'hese rings are for thev purpose of. more securely holding the block Magainst the thrust of the temple stop 16, Fig. 18.

Another advantage is in a novel method of imparting trictionai controlto the opening-andclosing movements of the temple, and to the finish andshape of the hinged members.

Ordinarily, the frictional control of the tempie movement lsj obtainedby clamping the end pieces with or without a screw against the sides ofthe temple joint.

A friction so obtained very soon ceases to be operative because of thewearing of the contacting parts, for which previously there has been noautomatic remedy.

Such remedy is supplied by applyingspring pressure to the periphery ofthe temple joint, or between the temple jointand the vintermediateend-piece portion M, as illustrated in Fig. 19. One end of a springmember 1l is fastened at 80 to the block Il and its other end bears uponthe curved periphery of the temple ii, and it is arranged to abutagainst the temple stop 16. This forms a perfectfriction-controlling-and-posi tioning medium for the temple action.

An end-piece-and-temple structure is thus produced that provides abetter controlled and a more permanent wearing frictional contact between them than has previously been the case, providing for moreconvenient adjustment and assembly. Durability and appearance have, atthe same time, been enhanced.

Other modications will occur to persons skilled in the art, and all suchare considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An ophthalmic mounting comprising an end piece of relatively lightmaterial having a threaded, substantially cylindrical opening, a platehav.

3 ing, a member separate from-and of vless length than the end piece andthe plate interposed between the end piece and the plate, the end piece,the plate and the member being secured together with the end piece andthe plate projecting substantially the same distance beyond the memberto provide a space for the insertion of a temple between the end pieceand the plate,'and a relatively small-dimensioned, light, substantiallycylindrical, headed, metal screw received in the plate opening andthreaded in the threaded open- `ing with the free end of the screwsubstantially' flush with a face of the end piece, the opening in theplate being smaller than the head of the screw in order that the head ofthe screw may engage the plate, the screw having a longitudinallyextending aperture substantially parallel to the axis of the screwextending from the said free end of the screw a substantial distanceinward toward the head of the screw so as to form a continuous, annular,exteriorly threaded wall, the continuous, annular wall being swaged byexpansion, without breaking the continuity of the annular wall, intotight engagement with the wall of the threaded opening along a regionextending from the end of the threaded opening near the said face asubstantial distance into the threaded opening, the material and thedimensions of the screw being such as to cause the exterior threads uponthe annular wall to lock irictionaily,v against the threads of thethreaded opening along the said region by the inherent resiliency of theswaged metal without the laid of a locking plug permanently positionedin the aperture, and the temple being pivoted to swing about the screw.

2. An ophthalmic mounting comprising a split rim, a rst end piece ofrelativelylight material secured to the rim at one side of the split, asecond end piece oi relatively light material secured to the rim at theother side of the split, a plate secured to the said one side of the rimbetween the end pieces, a member separate from and of less length thanthe end pieces and the plate secured to the said one side of the rinrbetween the plate and the rst end piece with the end pieces and theplate projecting substantially the same distance beyond the member toprovide a space for the insertion of a temple between the ilrst endpiece and the plate, means for securing the end pieces, the plate andthe member to hold the ends of the rim together, the second end piecehaving a threaded, substantially cylindrical opening, the first endpiece having an opening alined with the threaded opening, the

plate having an opening alined with the said openings. 'and a relativelysmall-dimensioned. light, substantially cylindrical, headed, metal screwpositioned in the openings with the head of the screw in the opening ofthe second end piece and threaded in the threaded opening with the freeend of the screw substantially flush with a face of the first end piece,the opening in the plate being smaller than the head of the screw inorder that the head of the screw may engage the plate, the screw havinga longitudinally extending aperture substantially parallel to the axisof the screw extending from the said free end of the screw a substantialdistance inward toward the head of the screw so as to form a continuous,annular, exteriorly threaded wall, the continuous, annular wall beingswaged by expansion, without breaking the continuity of the annularwall, into tight engagement with the vwall of the threaded opening alonga region extending from the end of the threaded opening near the piece,a plate, and a member separate'i'rom and f of less length than the endpiece and the plate interposed between -the end piece and the plate, theend piece, the plate and the member being secured together with the endpiece and the plate projecting substantially the same distance beyondthe member to provide a space for the insertion o! a temple between theend piece and the plate, the end piecel and the plate beingprovided withalined openings to receive a headed post about which the temple isadapted to pivot, and the Aopening in the plate being smaller ythan thehead of the post in order that the head oi.' the post may engage theplate.

4. An ophthalmic mounting comprising a split rim, a ilrst end piecesecured to the rim at vone side oi' the split, a second end piecesecured-to the rim at the otherv side of the split, a plate secured tothe said one side of the rim between the end pieces, a member separatefromand of less length than the end pieces and the plate secured to thesaid one side oi! the rim between the plate and the iirst end piece withthe end pieces and the plate projecting substantially the same distancebeyond the member'to provide a space for the insertion of a templeybetween the first end piece and the plate, a screw extending throughthe end pieces, the plate and the member to hold the ends of the rimtogether, the second end piece having an opening therethroughA the platehaving an .opening alined with the said opening, and a headed screwpositioned in the openings with the head of the screw in the opening ofthe second end piece and threaded in the first end piece, the opening inthe plate being smaller than the head of the headed screw \in order thatthe head of` the headed screw may engage the plate, and the temple beingadapted to pivot about the headed screw. v

5. An ophthalmic mounting comprising an end piece,` a plate, a memberinterposed between the endpiece and the plate, a second plate interposedl between the member and the end piece, the'end piece, the plates andthe member being secured together, the member being of less length thanthe end piece and the plates to provide a space for the insertion oi.' atemple between the plates, the end piece and the plates 'being providedwith alined yopenings to receive a headed post about which the temple isadapted to pivot.

6. An ophthalmic mounting comprising two elements, namely, a,y split rimand a temple, a ilrst end piece of relatively lightmaterial secured tothe rim at one side ofthe split, a second end piece of relatively lightmaterial secured to the rim at the other side of the split, a platesecured to the said one side of the rim between the end pieces, a memberseparate from and of less length than' the end pieces and the platesecured to the said one side of the rim between theplate and the rst endpiece withthe end pieces and the plate projecting substantially the samedistance beyond the member to provide a space for the insertion of atemple between the rst end piece 75. and the plate, meansior securingthe end pieces,

"the plate and the member to hold the ends of the rim together, thesecond end piece having a threaded, substantiallylcylindrical opening,the ilrst end piece having an opening alined with the threaded opening,the plate having an opening alined with the said openings, a relativelysmalldimensioned, light, substantially cylindrical, headed, metal screwpositioned in the openings with the head voi the screw in the opening ofthe second end piece and, threaded in the opening with the free end ofthe screw substantially flush witha i'ace of the end piece, the openingin the plate being smaller than the head of the screw in order that thehead of'the screw may engage the plate, the screw having alongitudinally extending aperturevsubstantially parallel'to the axis ofthe screw extending from the said free end of the screw a substantialdistance inward toward the head of the screw so as to form a continuous,annular, exteriorly threaded wall, the continuous, annular wall beingswaged by expansion, without breaking the continuity of the annularwall, into tight engagement with the wall of the threaded opening alonga. region extending from the end of the threaded opening near the saidface a substantial distance into the threaded opening, the

. .material and the dimensions of the screw being such asl to cause theexterior threads upon the annular wall to lockv frictionally 4 againstthe threads of the-threaded opening alongthe said region by the,inherent resiliency, of the swaged meal'without the aid oi' a lockingplug permanently positioned in the aperture, and the temple beingpivoted to swing about the screw, one of the elements having a cavity inwhich the plate is disposed. 7. An ophthalmic mounting comprising a vsplrim having end pieces each provided with a cavity, one ofthe end pieceshaving a threaded opening, a screw threaded in the opening having anunthreaded bearing portion andl an enlarged head, a temple pivoted toswing about the bearing portion, the screw having an aperture, and thewalls of the aperture being expanded into tight engagement with thewalls of the threaded openingga plate in one of the cavities interposedbetween the head and the temple, a second plate interposed in y theother cavity, and a member between the plates Aof less length than theend pieces to provide a space between the end pieces for the temple.

8. An ophthalmic mounting comprising one or ymore Aend pieces ofrelatively light material and having a threaded, substantiallycylindrical opening, a relatively small-dimensioned, light,substantially cylindrical, metal, headed, screw threaded in the openingwith one end of the screw substantially iiush with a face of the saidone end piece, the screw having a longitudinally extending aperturesubstantially parallel to the axis of the screw extending from the saidend of the screw a substantial distance inward toward the head of thescrew so as to form a continuous, annular, exteriorly threaded wall, thecontinuous, annular wall being swaged by expansion, Without breaking thecontinuity of the annular wall, info tight engagement with the wall ofthe threaded opening along a region extending from the end of thethreaded opening near the said face a substantial distance into thethreaded opening, the material andthe dimensions of the screw being suchas to cause the exterior threads upon the annular wall to lockfrictionally against the threads of the threaded opening along the saidregion by the inherent resiliency of the swaged -the plate having alcooperating vconical bearing` wall, and the screw having a` conicalportion engaging the-bearing wall of th'eplate." Y xl 9. An ophthalmic'mounting comprising' a split rim, two'end pieces-secured to the rim atopposite sides of the split, `amember separate from v thek endipiecesdisposed between"` the end pieces` andl secured to one of the sides oftherim, the member being of less length than the end pieces to provide aspace between the end pieces, a plaiesecured to the said'one'sidefof therim between the memberand-the end piecesecured to the said one side ofthe rim. a temple pivoted tothe end pieces in the space so as lto bearagainst the plate and having a curved portion, and a leaf spring one endof which is'secured'to themember at a otal movement, the temple having aprojecting stop for engaging the other 'end ofthe leaf spring.

10. An ophthalmic'mounting comprising a split rim having end pieces eachprovided with a cavity, one of the end pieces having a threaded opening,a screw threaded-in the openingA having a bearing portionand-anenlargedhead, a temple pivoted to swing about the bearing portion, a

plate in one of the cavities interposed between the head and the temple,a second plate interposed in f the other cavity, and a member betweenthe plates of less length than the end pieces to provide a space betweenthe end pieces for the temple.

11. An ophthalmic mounting comprising a split rim, a rst end piecesecured to the rim at one side of the split, a second end piece securedto the rim at the other side of the split, a plate secured to the saidone side oi' therim between the end pieces, a memberv separate from andof less lengththan the end pieces andthe platesecured to the said oneside of the rim between the plate andthe ilrst end piece with the endpieces and the plate projecting substantially the same distance beyondthe member to provide a space for the insertion of a temple between thenrst end piece andthe plate, and means for securing the en'd piecestogether, the end pieces and the plate having alined openings to receivea headed post about which the temple is adapted to pivot, and theopening in the plate being smaller than the head oi the post in orderthat the head of the post. may engage the plate.

12. An ophthalmic mounting comprising two elements, namely, a split rimhaving end pieces anda temple, one oi' the end pieces being securedtothe rim at one side of the split, the other end piece being secured tothe rim at the other side oi the split, a plate secured to the said oneside vof the rim between the end pieces, a member separate trom-and ofless length than the end pieces and the plate secured to the said oneside of the rim between the plate and the ilrst end piece withthe endpieces and the plate projecting substan tially the same distance beyondthe member to provide a space for the insertion of the temple betweenthe iirst end piece and the plate, one of the end pieces having a headedpost about which the temple is adapted to pivot. and the plate having anopening in which the post is positioned,

vthe vopening being smaller than the head oi' the post in order that thehead of the post may engage the plate, one of the elements having acavity in which the plate is disposed.

13. An ophthalmic mounting comprising a split rim, two end piecessecured to the rim at opposite sides of the split, a member separatefrom the end pieces interposed between the end pieces and secured to oneof the sides of the rim, the separate member being of less length thanthe end pieces to provide a space for the insertion ot the templebetween the end pieces, a plate secured to the said one side of the rimbetween the member and the end piece secured to the said one side of therim, means for securing the end pieces together, one of the end pieceshaving a threaded opening, and a screw threaded in the opening having abody portion and an enlarged head, the temple being pivoted to swingabout the body portion, the temple having a conical bearing wall, andthe plate having a cooperating conical bearing wall.

FREDERICK A. STEVENS.

